God’s Word expects a man to dwell with his wife with understanding (1 Peter 3:7). Most men say that it is impossible to understand a woman, but this is simply because men and women usually think in dissimilar realms, as well as have different expectations and hopes and dreams of what marriage will mean to them.
Listening to a wife’s words and closely watching her body language will often give a man a clue that enables him to dwell with her with understanding. However, if he filters her expressions through his male mind, he may miss the importance of her clues and reject them completely, or even despise or feel frustrated over what he hears and sees.
His dismissal discourages his wife, and makes her feel unloved, unappreciated, unimportant in her husband’s life, and discounted as a person with value. Yet, when a man takes his wife’s needs seriously and makes her feelings and opinions paramount in his priorities, he starts to dwell with her with understanding.
Actively listening to our spouse, supporting him/her in their concerns, and making the solution to their issues of vital importance in their own life will increase the flow of intimacy between both mates. A husband and wife draw closer and truly become “one flesh.”
If our spouse wants to talk to us at an inconvenient time due to our other responsibilities, we can quickly decide on a better time that will quietly provide us with conducive surroundings to give one another our complete attention. Fully listening and accept their thoughts as valid and important is better than interrupting them to offer a quick piece of advice.
Making our spouse feel supported and loved provides many rewards for us, because it encourages him/her to offer the same security for us. Together, we mature spiritually, and our unity grows deeper over the years. We encourage each other by our example (Proverbs 27:17).
Prayer:
Father God, thank You for abiding within us and walking with us through all the challenges of life. Your presence in both of us will ensure our success as a couple. You increase our commitment to one another as we daily intensify our trust in You. Remind us to spend the bulk of our time only with other couples that share this mutual commitment and allow us to serve as an example of Your presence in a marriage.
Remind us that when we value one another’s assistance in our marriage, and we focus on our strengths as we exhibit compassion and understanding toward our weaknesses, we give Satan fewer opportunities to drive a wedge between us. Help us to cultivate the feelings of appreciation, kindness, and nurturing warmth toward one another. We look to Jesus’ love for His Bride as an example of the sacrificial love we need for our spouse.
Thoughts for the Day:
A fulfilling relationship starts with our choices, and our love increases in intimacy by the compassion and cherishing attitude we adopt toward one another. Satanic lies are always pecking away at our thoughts in an attempt to poison our mind against each other, but consulting the Holy Spirit about our mental and emotional outlook provides a long-lasting love that sees us through the rough patches of life.
